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Urban Dreams

EIN 42-1225264 · Des Moines, IA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

URBAN DREAMS IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF THE ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREAS OF DES MOINES, IOWA. THE ORGANIZATION IS A NONTRADITIONAL REFERRAL SERVICE AND OPERATES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS TO COMBAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND OFFER THEIR CLIENTS EDUCATIONAL, EMPLOYMENT, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$959,832
Spending
$851,175
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
17.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
43
Highest pay
$167,070, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $181,325 spent. COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY - THIS BUCKET OF WORK INCLUDES ALL OF OUR MONTHLY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS, COMMUNITY-POLICE RELATIONS INTIATIVES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY WORK. THESE EVENTS ARE HIGH-QUALITY, FREE OR VERY LOW COST, AND FOCUS ON POSITIVE OUT-OF-CAR EXPERIENCES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ENGAGE WITH NEIGHBORS AND TO EARN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS' SUPPORT.
  2. $248,036 spent. SUBSTANCE ABUSE - WITHIN OUR SUBSTANCE ABUSE DEPARTMENT, WE HOUSE OUR OWI WEEKEND DIVERSION CLASSES. WE OFFER CLASSES STATEWIDE IN SIX LOCATIONS: CEDAR RAPIDS/IOWA CITY, CHARLES CITY, COUNCIL BLUFFS, DES MOINES, OTTUMWA, AND SIOUX CITY. WE HELP OVER 1,750 INDIVIDUALS WITH CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY RELATED ISSUES, BETWEEN OUR OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, WORK AT THE CENTRAL IOWA SHELTER AND SERVICE (CISS), AND OUR OWI WEEKEND CLASSES.
  3. $58,749 spent. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION - INCLUDES EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS WITH MULTIPLE BUSINESSES. WE HOST JOB FAIRS FOR EMPLOYERS, PROVIDE CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING, AND PARTNER WITH RECRUITING AGENCIES. WE ARE WORKING TO EXPAND OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SERVICE TO OTHER BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES. WE OFFER A DEFERRED EXPULSION PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

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